The 2024 Olympics have come and gone, leaving us with moments that left a lasting impression. There are so many to recall. One standout is Simone Biles, who secured three golds and one silver in women’s gymnastics. Her story is one of a triumphant return after withdrawing from several events during the Tokyo competition due to mental health concerns and a loss of spatial awareness, known as the “twisties.” The critics were quick and numerous.
Competing at that level and winning medals are remarkable achievements in themselves. However, what stood out even more was Biles’ response to Rebeca Andrade’s gold victory. Biles had already credited Andrade as a competitor who pushed her to excel. For someone of Biles’ caliber to conduct herself with such grace and sportsmanship demonstrates a profound level of camaraderie. It boldly illustrates what is possible when the games are seen not as a battleground but as a shared global moment to witness greatness.
There are other moments I simply cannot overlook. The USA Men’s basketball team won gold in epic fashion against France. Basketball is my favorite sport, so I was deeply invested in the final results. This might be the last time LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant play together at the Olympics, which made their victory even more special. There’s something magical about going out on top. And, of course, Gabby Thomas’s three gold medals, including the women’s 200 meters, deserve recognition.
What about Lyles and the controversy over whether he actually should of won the 100m? What about his COVID episode that is noted as a possible reason for coming in third in the 200m? Lyles simply require a discussion piece dedicated solely to him.
The Spectacular Dr. Gunn, Olympic Breaker
But now, I want to highlight the moments that stood out the most to me. First was the breakdancing competition. B-boy Phil Wizard (Philip Kim) made history by winning the first Olympic gold medal in men’s breaking. Yet, I hear very little about Kim. The arrival of breakdancing seems to have been overshadowed by the unique performance of Rachael Gunn (Raygun), who has gained far more publicity and celebration than any of the actual break-dancers. Dr. Rachael Gunn, who now enjoys international fame (and memes of various order), holds a PhD in Cultural Studies from Macquarie University, where she is also a lecturer. Her Instagram page, at the time of this writing, boasts 102k followers, and I’m sure that number will balloon to an even more impressive figure.
While I’ll resist the urge to comment extensively on Dr. Gunn’s performance, I must acknowledge that her international debut offers potent lessons in challenging norms and valuing individual contributions. However, I can’t help but wonder why it was so easy to celebrate this in breakdancing, but not, let’s say, in gymnastics? Perhaps it’s because breakdancing is new and its rules and regulations haven’t yet been fully standardized, given its emphasis on originality. The fact that it’s not scheduled to be included in the next Olympics leads me to speculate that not enough was done to properly establish expectations and possibilities within that competition. If that’s true, it’s unfortunate that the Olympic level of care wasn’t extended to breaking.
In any case, I’m sure many specialists, while enjoying the excitement of seeing someone express their breakdancing skills, also wonder why they weren’t able to perform when they have been recognized as breakdancers for years. As I try to assess this fairly, I can’t quite pin it down. Maybe it was necessary for Dr. Gunn to demonstrate something new that deserves a place in the Olympics. If that’s the case, it will be up to the judges of that new event to determine what falls within the boundaries and what does not. I lean toward the idea that the Olympics could include a free event where each country selects a representative to showcase their best. Whatever that may be.
Sha’Carri Richardson Winning Silver in the Women’s 100m
Yes, there’s also the women’s 4×100 meter relay, where Richardson and Team USA won gold in spectacular fashion. The race produced one of the most iconic visuals, with Richardson surging ahead of the pack, evoking nostalgia for Usain Bolt. It almost feels like a crime and a lack of due diligence not to mention that race, which is why I couldn’t just skip over it. Richardson received the baton while trailing behind the other fiercely competing athletes, yet she passed them with enough time to glance back—a moment that will forever be legendary.
However, my attention was particularly drawn to the women’s 100m, because it was Sha’Carri going out on her own to achieve what I anticipated would be a monster performance on the world’s biggest track stage. But it didn’t unfold as I had expected. There was no Shericka Jackson, no Elaine Thompson-Herah, and, in a last-minute turnaround, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the “Pocket Rocket,” was not in the lineup. Shelly-Ann’s decision not to race was due to a last-minute change, of which two Olympic athletes of the highest caliber were not informed. Both she and Richardson were told they had to use a different entrance. Essentially, they were sabotaged.
I’ve longed believed that Richardson was special. I first wrote about her here.
What we must recognize is that tensions run high, and nerves are on edge no matter how experienced you are when preparing for these events. The mindset is integral to the process. They should have waived the rules and let them in unless there was a safety concern. Since no such statements were made, I don’t see why those who prevented their entry were allowed to stand firm. Somebody seriously messed up.
No Shelly-Ann, no Shericka, and no Elaine. These three Jamaicans are the current heroines dominating the women’s 100m and 200m. I was expecting a showdown between the three and Richardson. I learned early on that Elaine and Shericka wouldn’t be competing, leaving only Shelly. It would have been more fitting to witness a showdown between Elaine and Richardson since Elaine won gold at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016 and in Tokyo in 2020, making her the reigning champion who should have been challenged.
But since she wasn’t available, the winner of the silver in Tokyo would have been the next best competitor. Another reason this was so disappointing is that Shelly-Ann could be considered the leader of her generation, having won gold at the Olympics before Elaine. It could have been either a passing of the torch or Shelly-Ann going out with a bang with a final gold medal. At 37 years old, there’s a possibility that Shelly-Ann won’t return to the Olympics in four years. This might also be true for Elaine, who is now 32. A lot can happen between now and then, and I’m not counting her out by any means.
Anything is possible, of course, but age has a way of asserting its influence when you least expect it. Besides, we all have our preferred ways of seeing our heroes retire, and no one wants to see Shelly-Ann go out with a whimper. She deserves better than that.
The Herculean Feat of Mijaín López Núñez
Finally, and not to any lesser degree than the moments I’ve mentioned, I’m captivated by the story of Mijaín López, who retired at 41 after securing gold in five consecutive Olympics. Standing at 6’5, López, a Greco-Roman wrestler known as El Terrible and The Giant of Herradura, evokes a Hercules-Thor-like presence. His impressive record further supports this. After finishing 5th in 2004, López won gold in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024, alongside numerous other accolades.
Until recently, I hadn’t heard of Mijaín, as my focus has been on women’s track and field, particularly the 100 and 200 meters, which are my favorites. It’s easy to miss history when you’re watching history unfold. Mijaín is the “first Summer Olympian in any individual sport to win five consecutive gold medals in the same event.” To culminate this majestic career, López removed his wrestling shoes and left them on the mat as he walked off, signaling his departure from the sport. What a way to say goodbye.
I eagerly anticipate interviews, a film, and books about him. There are invaluable lessons to be learned from his remarkable mental fortitude. Leaving his footwear on the mat seems like the perfect way to wrap up my reflections on the 2024 Olympics.
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